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BYLAWS
FLORIDA NURSES’ ASSOCIATION
DISTRICT 22
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
TITLE, PURPOSES AND FUNCTIONS
Section 1: Name
The name of this Association shall be District 22 of the Florida Nurses’ Association
(henceforth referred to as the Association), which shall comprise Bay, Gulf, and
Franklin counties in the Florida panhandle.
Section 2: Purpose
A. The purposes of the Association shall be to:
1. foster high standards of nursing.
2. stimulate and promote the professional development of nurses and advance their economic and general welfare.
3. work for the improvement of health standards and the availability of health care services for all people in our geographic area.
B. These purposes shall be unrestricted by considerations of nationality, race, creed, lifestyle, color, sex, or age.
Section 3: Functions
The functions of the Association shall be to:
A. advocate standards of nursing practice, nursing education and nursing
services and to promote those standards.
B. act and speak for the nursing profession before allied professional, community
and governmental groups on issues of importance to the profession.
C. develop and maintain relationships with nursing organizations, allied health, nursing students and consumer groups.
D. promote adherence to the American Nurses’ Association (ANA) Code of Ethics.
E. promote and protect the economic and general welfare of nurses.
F. promote the continuing professional development of nurses.
G. provide for representation in the FNA House of Delegates.
H. preserve documents and other materials that contribute to the historical and cultural development of nursing.
I. assume an active role as consumer advocate.
J. influence legislation, governmental programs, and health policy.
K. support systematic study, evaluation, and research in nursing; and
L. promote recruitment and mentorship for students in local nursing programs.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP, PRIVILEGES, AND OBLIGATIONS
Section 1: Composition
Membership in the Association shall meet all the membership requirements of both
the ANA and the FNA. Refer to the bylaws of these organizations for membership
criteria.
Section 2: Privileges
Members shall have the following privileges:
A. Voting for:
1. Delegates to the FNA meetings
2. FNA officers and Association officers
3. FNA Directors
B. Serving in any elected or appointed position.
C. Attending conventions, Board of Directors and committee meetings, other unrestricted functions of ANA, FNA, or the Association.
D. Receiving regular ANA, FNA, and Association communications.
E. Having representation through FNA in the ANA and International Council of Nurses.
F. Affiliating with ANA, FNA, and Association councils, committees, and focus groups.
Section 3: Obligations
A. Professional Conduct
Members of the Association shall abide by ANA, FNA and Association bylaws and the
ANA Code for Nurses.
B. Dues
1. ANA and FNA dues are defined by those organizations. Association dues are paid to the FNA, but are defined by the organization.
2. Membership begins on the date dues are paid.
3. Nurses who qualify for one of the following categories may elect to pay 50 percent of the annual dues:
a. Nurses who are not employed.
b. Students who are registered nurses in full –time study.
c. Graduates of basic nursing programs for the first year of membership, if initiated within six months following graduation.
d. Nurses 62 years of age or older who are employed.
4. Members 62 years of age or older who are not employed may elect to pay 25 percent of the annual dues.
5. Members shall be notified in the Association newsletter sixty (60) days prior to the meeting at which the proposal will be presented for vote.
6. A vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the membership present and voting and previous notice of sixty days (60) shall be required to change the dues.
Section 4: Membership Year
The membership year shall be a period of twelve (12) consecutive months from the time of application for membership status.
Section 5: Disciplinary Action
A. Members shall be subject to reprimand, censure, suspension or expulsion by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors for violation of the Code for Nurses as established by the ANA or for violations of the bylaws of the ANA, the FNA, or the Association.
B. No such action shall be taken against a member until such member shall have been served with written specific charges, given a reasonable time to prepare any defense, and afforded a full or fair hearing.
C. Suspension or expulsion from this Association shall be certified to the FNA and the ANA by the Association.
D. Members reprimanded, censured, suspended or expelled under the provisions of this act may, within thirty days after notification of such action, request the Board of Directors of the FNA to review any question of law or procedure involved therein.
E. Members suspended or expelled under the provisions of this article shall be eligible for reinstatement upon application approved by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 6: Transfer
A. A member who has completed full payment of dues and moved out of Florida may apply to the Secretary of FNA for transfer to another constituent association of the ANA.
B. A member of another constituent association of the ANA who has completed full payment of dues and who moves to Florida may transfer to FNA without further payment of dues for the remainder of the membership year. The request for transfer shall be signed by the secretary of the state nurses’ association issuing the transfer.
C. Any member who changes residence to another district in this state may request a transfer from the Secretary of this Association, who shall notify the Secretary of the FNA.
ARTICLE III
OFFICES
Section 1: General
The offices of this Association shall be a President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The president, secretary and treasurer shall also serve as delegates-at-large to the FNA convention.
A. Officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws, the adopted authority, and as directed by the Board of Directors.
B. Officers shall be declared elected every year, and vacancies in office shall be filled as hereinafter provided.
C. Association officers may serve no greater than two consecutive regular terms in the same office.
D. The immediate past president shall automatically become a member of the Board of Directors until succeeded.
E. Any officer who is absent from three regular or three Board meetings may be asked to resign.
Section 2: Duties of Officers
Officers of this Association shall perform the duties usually performed by such officers
and such duties as are specified in these bylaws and designated by the Board of Directors of this Association.
A. The President shall:
1. be chairperson of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the
Board of Directors.
2. preside at all meetings of the Association and conduct them by a formal order of business.
3. appoint the chairperson of standing and special committees and shall serve as an ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
4. write an annual report to the FNA and perform all duties of the office.
5. be bonded.
B. The First Vice President shall:
1. serve as the chairperson of the Membership Committee.
2. act as assistant to the president.
3. in the absence of the president, assume the duties of president. This officer shall also assume other duties as assigned by the Board.
4. in the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of president, serve as president for the remainder of the vacant term. This partial term shall not count as a regular term served (See III, 1, C).
C. The Second Vice President shall:
1. serve as the educational program chairperson
2. keep a correct list of the names and addresses of all members of this Association.
3. be responsible for notification of time and place of regular monthly meetings.
4. in the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of first vice president, shall assume the first vice president’s duties until the next regular election.
D. The Secretary shall:
1. serve as the chairperson of the Communications Committee.
2. keep the minutes of all meetings of the Association, the executive committee, the Board of Directors, preserve all papers, letters and transactions of the Association.
3. send, to the secretary of the FNA, the names and addresses of all officers of The Association immediately after the election, and conduct the general correspondence of the Association and the Board.
4. send up-to-date copies of all amendments to the bylaws of The Association to the office of the FNA within one month after the final adoption of amendments.. Copies of each edition of the bylaws shall be sent whenever the same are printed.
5. send, to the Secretary of the FNA, at least fifteen (15) days before the opening day of the convention, the names and addresses of all delegates and alternates who have been elected by secret ballot to attend the convention as members of the voting body.
E. The Treasurer shall:
1. serve as the chairperson of the Finance Committee.
2. receive and have charge of all funds of the Association, deposit such funds in the bank designated by the Board, and provide for the expenditure of such funds.
3. submit a financial report at each regular business meeting.
4. submit an annual report to the Association membership at the first business meeting of each year.
5. report to the Board the financial standing of the Association whenever requested to do so and shall make a full report to the FNA yearly.
6. keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements and give a written report at meetings of the Board and of the Association.
7. establish a District Association’s checking account so that either the treasurer or president may sign checks.
8. submit Form 990 to the Internal Revenue Service, with a copy to the FNA, by May 15 of each year, if necessitated by the income of the organization.
9. within one month after election, deliver to the newly elected treasurer all money, vouchers, books and papers of he Association held in custody with a supplemental report covering all transactions.
10. at the first business meeting of the year following the election, will present an annual financial report for the preceding year during which they served as treasurer.
11. be bonded.
ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1: Composition
The elected officers of this Association, the immediate past president, and the elected
and appointed committee chairpersons, shall constitute a Board of Directors.
Section 2: Meetings
A. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held preceding the regular meeting of this Association.
B. Board meetings will be attended by, District Officers, Committee Chairs, and an FNSA Advisor. The FNSA Advisor shall have voice, but no vote.
C. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the president, either personally or by mail to each member of the Board, and shall be called by the president upon the written request of five or more members of the Board of Directors or the Association.
Section 3: Duties
The Board of Directors shall:
A. transact the general business of the Association in the interim between meetings.
B. establish major administrative policies governing the affairs of the Association and devise and mature measures for the Association’s growth and development.
C. report to the Association at each regular meeting the business transacted in the interim between meetings.
D. provide for such work of the officers and committees as may be deemed expedient.
E. provide for the proper care of materials, equipment and funds of the Association and for the payment of legitimate expenses.
F. approve committees not otherwise provided for.
G. fill any vacancies on the Nominating Committee.
Section 4: Executive Committee
There shall be an Executive Committee of the Board of Directors composed of the president, the first vice president, the second vice president, the secretary, and the treasurer of the Association. This committee shall have all the powers of the Board of Directors to transact business of an emergency nature between Board meetings. All transactions of this committee shall be reported in full at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board.
ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES
Section 1: General
A. Standing committees shall be composed of members of this Association as provided within this article and shall assume such duties as are assigned by the Board of Directors and specified in these bylaws.
B. Chairpersons of standing committees shall report monthly at the Board meeting and Association meeting.
C. The absence of a member from a standing or special committee for two meetings without notification shall be possible grounds for dismissal. This issue will be referred to the Board for a decision. Their decision will be final.
D. A majority of the members of any standing or special committee shall constitute a quorum.
E. The Association has the following standing committees. The chairperson of each committee is selected as indicated in the committee descriptions below. Committee members shall be appointed by the president, the committee chairperson, or the membership and will serve for one year or until their respective successors are appointed. The standing committees are:
1. Bylaws
2. Membership
3. Programs and Hospitality
4. Finance
5. Publicity
6. Legislative
7. Nominating
8. Internal Audit
Section 2: Bylaws Committee
A. Composition
1. The committee on bylaws shall consist of three members or as deemed necessary by the Board.
2. The immediate past president shall serve as chairperson of this committee.
B. Duties
1. receive all proposed amendments to the Bylaws of this Association. Upon approval of such amendments by the Board of Directors, such proposed amendments shall be submitted for action to the voting body at the regular meeting of the Association.
2. review and/or revise the bylaws every three (3) years, or more often if deemed necessary by a majority of the membership.
3. after adoption by the voting body, five copies shall be sent to the FNA Bylaws Committee for review in order that the amended bylaws may be kept in harmony with the bylaws of the FNA.
4. The Association will maintain separate policies serving as an adjunct to the bylaws that may be revised/updated as appropriate.
Section 3: Membership Committee
A. Composition
1. The Membership Committee shall consist of three members or as deemed necessary by the Board.
2. The first vice president shall serve as chairperson of this committee.
B. Duties
This committee shall:
1. study and evaluate matters relating to membership in the Association.
2. develop plans for retaining and increasing membership.
Section 4: Programs and Hospitality Committee
A. Composition
1. The Programs and Hospitality Committee shall consist of three
members or as deemed necessary by the Board.
2. The second vice president shall serve as chairperson of this
committee.
B. Duties
1. evaluate the continuing education needs of the Association members
2. plan and provide programs based upon identified needs.
3. submit required documentation for continuing education credit for participating members.
4. provide for refreshments or meals in conjunction with meetings and special educational programs.
Section 5: Finance Committee
A. Composition
1. The Finance Committee shall consist of three members or as deemed
necessary by the Board.
2. The treasurer shall serve as chairperson of this committee.
B. Duties
1. develop or administer policies and procedures for regulation of expenditures
for the Association. Policies shall include, but not be limited to, methodology
for approval of expenditures and documentation required for reimbursement of
Association-related expenses. These policies and procedures are submitted
to the Board and the membership for approval. Revisions to these policies
must be submitted to the membership for review at least 30 days prior the
vote for approval. A simple majority of voting members shall be considered
sufficient for revising the policies.
2. devise ways and means of raising funds for the organization.
Section 6: Publicity Committee
A. Composition
1. The Publicity Committee shall consist of three members or as deemed necessary by the Board.
2. The Secretary shall serve as chairperson of this committee.
B. Duties
1. notify members of meetings and special events.
2. inform news media of special events and activities sponsored by the
Association.
3. publish the newsletter
4. develop criteria for selection of the Nurse of the Year, and provide for bestowing this honor during the May meeting.
Section 7: Legislative Committee
A. Composition
1. The Legislative Committee’s activities shall consist of three members or as
deemed necessary by the Board.
2. The Legislative District coordinator shall serve as chairperson of this committee.
B. Duties
1. study the needs for legislative action.
2. study proposed federal, state, and local legislation for its implication for nurses, nursing, and health.
3. assist in promoting state legislative programs.
4. advise the Board of Directors and the membership on legislative matters.
Section 8: Nominating Committee
A. Composition
1. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members or as deemed
necessary by the Board.
2. The chairperson of this committee is elected by the membership or appointed by the president.
B. Duties
1. publicize a call for nominations at least 45 days prior to the election of officers.
2. prepare a slate of nominees, whenever possible consisting of at least two nominees for each office. Submit this slate to the membership at least 30 days before the election.
3. Advise membership, prior to election, of the correct method for balloting.
4. coordinate the election of officers during the November meeting, or at an alternate time agreed upon by the majority of the membership.
Section 9: Internal Audit Committee
A. Composition
1. The Internal Audit Committee on membership shall consist of three members or as deemed necessary by the Board. Persons who have signature authority for the bank accounts of the Association shall be exempt from membership of the Internal Audit Committee.
2. The chairperson of this committee shall be appointed by the president or
elected by the membership.
B. Duties
1. conduct an annual internal audit of the financial transactions of the
organization.
2. bring discrepancies to the attention of the Board and the membership.
3. make recommendations regarding the necessity of an external audit.
ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS
Section 1: Regular Meetings
Regular meetings of this Association shall be held at regular intervals with the date and time for meetings decided by the Association through an annual canvas or vote. The date and/or time of the meetings may be modified, if needed, in order to accommodate a speaker or event. Notices of regularly scheduled meetings shall be issued at least ten days prior to the meeting. If the date of the meeting is changed, or the time significantly altered (e.g., a luncheon meeting rather than an evening meeting), meeting notices shall be distributed at least 15 days prior to the meeting.
Members of the Florida Student Nurses’ Association (FSNA) may attend meetings of District 22. Interested persons who are not members of the FNA may also attend meetings but may not participate in the decision making process. If the meeting or activity has an associated cost for the Association (e.g., a meal provider for the members), persons who are not members of FNA or FSNA may be expected to pay for expenses incurred by the Association for their attendance.
Section 2: Order of Business
The order of business at regular meetings shall include:
A. Call to order
B. Reading of minutes
C. Report of treasurer
D. Committee reports
E. Communication from the president
F. Unfinished business
G. New business
H. Other business
I. Program
J. Adjournment
Section 3: Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of this Association shall be held in November.
Section 4: Special Meeting
Special meetings of this Association may be called by the president upon a
majority vote of the Board of Directors or upon the written request of members of
the Association.
Section 5: Quorum
A. Two officers, one of which is the president or a vice president-elect, and five members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of this Association.
B. A majority of the Board of Directors, including the president or a vice president, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII
ELECTIONS
Section 1: Nominating Committee
There shall be a Nominating Committee. Refer to Article V, Section 8 for
composition and duties.
Section 2: Process
A. Suggestions for elected officers shall be solicited from the membership.
B. Presentation of proposed ticket shall be made at the October meeting, with opportunity for nominations from the floor.
C. Persons running for office in District 22 cannot be a member of the Nominating Committee, unless fewer than two nominees per office are obtained from the canvas.
D. A head teller shall be appointed by the president at the October meeting. Two additional tellers shall be appointed by the president at the November meeting. Persons running for office cannot be a teller unless he/she is running unopposed. Absentee ballots shall be conveyed to the head teller by mail, fax, or in person. Absentee ballots delivered in person or by mail must be in a sealed envelope and have the signature of the voting member across the seal of the envelope. Faxed ballots must have the signature of the voting member on the cover sheet. No identifying information of the voter should appear on the ballots.
E. Elections shall be held at the November meeting by secret ballot.
F. The appointed three tellers shall count the votes.
G. In case of a tie, the choice shall be declared by lot.
H. All election records, including ballots, shall be preserved for one year by the secretary.
ARTICLE VIII
REPRESENTATION AT STATE MEETINGS
Section 1: Membership
A. Qualifications for delegates to state meetings shall be recommended by the Board and voted upon by the membership.
B. All members who serve as delegates shall present credentials at the time of registration at the state meeting.
Section 2: Delegate Selection
A. Association shall be entitled to delegates as designated within the bylaws of the state organization.
B. The Board of Directors shall evaluate the financial status of the Association and recommend to the membership the amount of financial support that can be provided to each attending delegate. This recommendation must be approved or revised by the membership and the information made available to those interested in servicing as delegates.
C. At least two months prior to the state meeting, a list of persons wishing to serve as delegates for the state meeting shall be compiled. This list shall be presented to the membership for election of delegates. Delegates and alternates for delegates of this Association to convention and special meetings of the FNA shall be elected at any regular meeting of the Association preceding the convention or special meeting of the Association.
D. Delegates shall be elected by secret ballot.
Section 3: Delegate Responsibilities
A. House of Delegates – a list of items scheduled to come before the House of
Delegates is published prior to the state convention. Delegates should discuss
these items with the membership prior to the state meeting and should cast initial
votes in these issues based upon the consensus of the membership. Votes for
items not published in advance shall be cast based upon the conscience and
opinion of the delegate.
B. As many delegates to convention and special meetings of the Association as possible are expected to attend business sessions. In the event that committee meetings, interest groups, or other subgroups occur concurrently, delegates should make an attempt to divide the responsibility for attendance of the concurrent sessions in such a way to assure participation by the Association in as many of the concurrent meetings as possible.
C. Delegates to convention or special meetings shall provide a formal report from the event at the next scheduled meeting of the Association.
ARTICLE IX
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of this Association shall be the calendar year.
ARTICLE X
OFFICIAL ORGANS
The American Journal of Nursing and The Florida Nurse shall be the official organs of this Association.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
Section 1: Previous Notice
A. These bylaws may be amended at any regular meetings by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting.
B. Notification of bylaws amendments must be made one month prior to voting.
ARTICLE XII
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern meetings of Association, in all cases to which they are applicable, in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.
Revised March 2001;
Amended November 18, 2003
(Article IV, Section 2, B added)
Amended January 18, 2005
(Article I, Section I, addition; Article III, Section 2, C, addition and 2, D, deletion; Article V, Section 2, B, addition)
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